Proposals have been filed with the Brisbane City Council for a substantial mixed-use development named the ‘Gabba Heart’ Precinct. The project, valued at $1.5 billion, is set to occupy a central location in Woolloongabba, Brisbane. The development application has been submitted by the Saunders Havill Group, acting on behalf of the Belmonde Property Group, led by developer Todd Brown, in collaboration with the Sun Luxe Group.
The architectural design for the 9361-square-meter site at 79 Logan Road has been driven by Cottee Parker. The blueprint includes four towers, varying in height between 36 to 41 storeys, which will be positioned above three podiums. Notably, one of these towers is designated for a 230-room hotel and serviced apartments. The remaining trio of towers is intended to provide over 1380 build-to-rent apartments, aimed at addressing the scarcity of housing in Queensland’s capital.
The mixed-use application hopes to achieve a significant height increase within the suburb, citing a number of variations to the levels of assessments sought after within. The proposal hopes to to ‘Introduce best city design outcomes in accordance with the Kuripla TLPI’, signalling an intent for the Woolloongabba precinct to emerge as a significant redevelopment zone and an extension to the Brisbane CBD as has been widely reported recently.
A distinctive element of the Gabba Heart precinct is the incorporation of a spacious laneway precinct that divides the site. This area is earmarked for several commercial spaces, enhancing the urban experience. The development boasts three street access points from Logan Road, Walker Street, and Jurgen Street to the West, strategically designed to encourage visitors to explore the commercial amenities within.
Each of the proposed towers will include ample communal recreation spaces and amenities on both podium and rooftop levels. These facilities encompass pools, spas, a yoga lawn, alfresco dining areas with views of the city, as well as lounges and productive gardens for cultivating fruits, vegetables, and herbs. This emphasis on shared spaces and lifestyle amenities aims to enrich the living experience for residents and patrons of the Gabba Heart Precinct.
As outlined in the planning report endorsing the application, the location presents an “optimal opportunity” for introducing a build-to-rent development within a crucial inner-city locale that benefits from well-established infrastructure and amenities.
“With the site’s substantial size and prominent position, the proposed development aims to implement planning provisions that facilitate the creation of an integrated, high-calibre subtropical development outcome. This approach aligns with and capitalizes on the future vision for the Woolloongabba region,” the report elaborated.
“Build-to-rent initiatives have garnered recognition from governmental bodies at all tiers as a means to address the housing shortage. These initiatives involve the construction of large-scale residential properties explicitly tailored, constructed, and managed for long-term rental purposes.”
The report went on to emphasize that the expansive expanse of the site offers a distinctive opportunity to introduce a substantial volume of dwellings to the local vicinity, significantly contributing to the housing supply.
The site itself sits on top of a tricky planning obstacle, the Clem 7 tunnel ventilation stack. This vertical structure, which is an exhaust for the traffic fumes from the tunnel below, currently rises over the top of the project site directly to the North, providing a challenging design and planning hurdle for the Gabba Heart precinct to overcome. Achieving a safe, and liveable outcome for the Gabba Hearts residents will no doubt be crucial to an approval.
“The Gabba Heart Precinct is set to invigorate the core of Woolloongabba, embracing Brisbane’s subtropical climate while showcasing the finest aspects of Queensland’s distinctive weather and lifestyle through iconic architectural design,” noted the statement within the development application submitted by Saunders Havill Group.
“Deriving inspiration from Woolloongabba’s historical significance as a site near water and a significant ceremonial hub, the overarching vision for the entire precinct enriches the public space, seamlessly integrating it with the broader Woolloongabba area.”
In addition to the site’s transformation into “a dynamic community focal point adorned with artistic installations and enhanced embellishments,” the proposal encompasses enhancements to the nearby Jurgens Park. Additionally, the plans encompass the establishment of a bustling high street retail zone along Logan Road, creating a hub for markets and eventful game day celebrations—a comprehensive endeavour to elevate the overall vibrancy and allure of the locale.
The project is positioned within the Woolloongabba Priority Development Area (PDA), currently undergoing review by the QLD State Government as an integral aspect of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics redevelopment. This region stands poised for one of the most significant transformations in Brisbane’s history, with ambitious plans to revitalize the former low-set industrial zone, akin to the successful evolution witnessed in Newstead and West End over the years. What sets Woolloongabba apart from these urban-renewal neighbourhoods is its distinct geographical advantage—proximity to the prominent transportation endeavour, the Cross River Rail. This monumental infrastructure project is set to reshape the area, with the Woolloongabba station (one of the five stations for CRR) poised to provide a direct underground link to the central Brisbane CBD upon its completion. While mounting density has led to traffic concerns for Newstead and West End residents, Woolloongabba could potentially enjoy improved mobility within and around the inner-Brisbane core area due to the comprehensive transportation networks.
The site occupies a locale teeming with significant developmental activities. Mere blocks away from the application site, the Broadway Hotel is undergoing revitalization by the Carbone Group following a devastating fire that struck the historic establishment several years ago. Another block away, a recent development application has been lodged for a slender 20-storey tower at 109 Logan Road, a project led by Spinal Life Australia and designed by BSPN Architecture.
Spearheading advancements within the Gabba PDA precinct, Sarazin Projects have emerged as frontrunners, most notably with the launch of their Murcia Residences apartment tower just streets away from this freshly proposed development. Murcia, a 20-storey build-to-sell (BTS) tower, offers luxurious amenities for its residents, and occupies a prime corner at Wellington Road and Overend Street. The group’s endeavours also encompass the Silk One and Silk Lane projects within the same vicinity, boasting panoramic vistas into the renowned Gabba Stadium, which forms a part of the 2032 Olympics infrastructure overhaul. Among their upcoming projects, the dual tower “Nuage” project has secured approval from the Brisbane City Council and is slated for construction at 16 Wellington Road, Woolloongabba.
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